Railway signal-torpedo.



` F. DUTGHER.

RAILWAY SIGNAL TORPED.

Patented July 13, 19091 APPLICATION FILED MAY 1, 1909.

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FRANK DUTCI-IER, OF VERSAILLES, PENNSYLVANIA.

RAILWAY SIGN AL-TORPEDO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 13, 1909.

Application filed May 1, 1909. Serial No. 493,827.

IZo alt whom tt may concern.'

Be it known that I, FRANK DUTCHER, ay

citizen of the United States, residing at Versailles, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway Signal-lorpedoes, of which the following is a speciiication, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

rlhis invention relates to improvements in railway signal torpedoes, and relates to that type in which the inclosing case consists of a non-metallic or i'ibrous material for the purpose of preventing injury to persons by the flying of metal pieces when the case consists of metal or similar material.

The present improvement comprises an inner and an outer fibrous case, the inner case containing the explosive mixture, and a rail-engaging strap located between the two cases.

The primary objects of the present invention are: First; the manilier of closing the open ends of the ibrous tubular cases to thoroughly protect the explosive material and to prevent the opening up or separating of the sheets of fibrous material of which the tubular cases are composed. Second: the manner of constructing the fibrous cases to receive the rail-engaging strap between them.

In the accompanying drawings-Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view of the improved torpedo showing it attached to the railroad rail. F ig. 2 is a transverse central sectional view through the torpedo. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the inner and outer tubular cases, showing them separated and the relative position of the rail-engaging strap.

In carrying' out the present invention the fibrous tubular inclosing cases preferably consist of a sheet of paper which is closely wound in the form of the case or tube, in a manner so well known that any illustration or description thereof is unnecessary for an understanding of the present improvement.

The main or body portion of the torpedo consists of an inner fibrous open ended tubular case 1, and a fibrous open ended tubular outer or inclosing case 2. The inner case l is placed within the outer case 2, and the inner case contains the explosive compound or material 3.

One of the features of the present improvement is constructing the inner tube l,

slightly shorter than the outer tube 2, as shown in Fig. l, so that the ends of the outer tube project slightly beyond the ends of the inner tube which form slight depressions or recesses at the ends of the tube, as will be readily understood. The explosive material 3 extends only to the ends of the inner tube l, and is preferably placed therein before it is placed within the outer or inclosing tube 2.

By reason of the relative shortness of the inner tube or case l, as compared with the outer case 2, pockets are formed at the ends of the tubes after they are telescoped, as shown in Fig. 1, and these pockets receive a filling of water-prooiing compound 4, and this water-proof compound extends over the ends of the inner and outer tubes, which protects the ends of the layers of which the tubes are formed from dainpness and water and prevents them from opening up, and also extends or spreads out against and around the rail-engaging strip 5, as shown at 6, thus serving to cement or hold thc strap in position.

In Fig. 3 the manner of constructing the base 7, of the inner tube to receive the railengaging strap 5, is shown, and consists in forming a longitudinal groove 8, in the outer face of the base wall 7, by pressing the wall of the tube inwardly into a longitudinal bead or ridge 9, as shown.

'To prevent the torpedo from slipping on the thread of the railroad rail 10, when struck by the wheel of an approaching engine, the outer face of the base of the outer tube is provided with a granular coating 11.

I-Iaving thus described. my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. An improved railway torpedo comprising telescoped inner and outer open ended tubular cases, the inner case containing an explosive mixture and shorter than the outer case to form pockets at the ends of the cases, and a water-prooing compound placed in said pockets to close the ends of the tubes.

2. An improved railway torpedo comprising telescoped inner and outer open ended tubular cases, the inner case containing an explosive mixture and shorter than the outer case to form pockets at the ends of the case, and a water-proofing compound placed in the said pockets and extending over and covering the ends of the material of which the tubes are formed.

3. An improved torpedo comprising teleoov scoped inner and outer open ended tubular cases, the inner ease containing the explosive mixture, the engaging face of the base of one of the tubes having u longitudinally extending' groove from end to end thereof, a rail-engaging strap placed in said groove between the eases and 2t Water-proof inelosing compound for the ends of the tubes.

4L. An improved railway torpedo comprising teleseoped inner and outer open ended tubular eases, the inner case containing an explosive mixture and having the outer face of its base provided with a longitudinally' extending groove from end to end thereof, a rail-engaging strap Within said groove 15 and a Water-proofing' compound inelosing the ends of the eases.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

FRANK DUTCHER.

l/Vitnesses H. P. PRICE, S. J. PRICE. 

